Your essay is a thought-provoking look at how Book 13 brings to light the forces at play when we return to a place from our youth or from which we have been otherwise absent for an extended period. In the interim, we have changed in ways that cause us to perceive places and people in a different light. The places and people from long ago change themselves. On top of all of that, our memories of how people and things were are almost always faulty. When the additional aspect of how trauma changes us is added to the mix, it's small wonder that returning soldiers who have been in combat can face major challenges reintegrating with family and friends.
The deception by Odysseus reflects a wariness that often occurs with returning combat veterans or refugees who are escaping trauma in their homelands. We don't have Athena to help them, so it's up to the rest of us to meet them with compassion and understanding.
Resolution and commitment, what a solid footing in this descriptive summary of Book XVIII.
I like the idea of strategy within this book - of disguise and patience, gathering intelligence, and testing loyalties. What it means to gather information to integrate that information into strategy. While in this chapter that might mean an upcoming battlement, in a whole life experience it could be how to find success and to persevere. There's something to be said for not rushing forward, to temper a movement for a greater result. Of course this can be a double edged sword, right? A patient rabble-rouser could find tremendous success.
Odysseus is forced to change his view and perspective. It isn't as easy as just docking the ship. Instead he has to relearn the lay of the land. He has to break his warrior tendencies, embrace more of the current predicament for a longer legacy and proof of his moral personhood.
Your essay is a thought-provoking look at how Book 13 brings to light the forces at play when we return to a place from our youth or from which we have been otherwise absent for an extended period. In the interim, we have changed in ways that cause us to perceive places and people in a different light. The places and people from long ago change themselves. On top of all of that, our memories of how people and things were are almost always faulty. When the additional aspect of how trauma changes us is added to the mix, it's small wonder that returning soldiers who have been in combat can face major challenges reintegrating with family and friends.
The deception by Odysseus reflects a wariness that often occurs with returning combat veterans or refugees who are escaping trauma in their homelands. We don't have Athena to help them, so it's up to the rest of us to meet them with compassion and understanding.
Resolution and commitment, what a solid footing in this descriptive summary of Book XVIII.
I like the idea of strategy within this book - of disguise and patience, gathering intelligence, and testing loyalties. What it means to gather information to integrate that information into strategy. While in this chapter that might mean an upcoming battlement, in a whole life experience it could be how to find success and to persevere. There's something to be said for not rushing forward, to temper a movement for a greater result. Of course this can be a double edged sword, right? A patient rabble-rouser could find tremendous success.
Odysseus is forced to change his view and perspective. It isn't as easy as just docking the ship. Instead he has to relearn the lay of the land. He has to break his warrior tendencies, embrace more of the current predicament for a longer legacy and proof of his moral personhood.